ActionSA said it will formally request the Public Protector to investigate any potential breaches of ethical standards or violations of the Executive Members' Ethics Act, surrounding the diamond gift from contoversial diamond dealer Louis Liebenberg to Deputy President Paul Mashatile.    

Last month Mashatile’s office confirmed that his wife Humile Mashatile was given an unsolicited gift of a precious stone by Liebenberg.

Mashatile’s office has since announced that that arrangements are under way to return the precious stone.

ActionSA Parliamentary leader Athol Trollip said the gift raised serious concerns when viewed in the context of allegations surrounding Mashatile’s “unexplained lavish lifestyle,” claims that he too engages heavily in trading favours, and Liebenberg’s “reputation” for allegedly gifting extravagant items to high-ranking politicians and government officials to apparently buy influence.

Liebenberg faces over forty charges of theft, fraud, money laundering, and racketeering.

ActionSA contended that serious questions arise about Mashatile’s relationship with Liebenberg, who the party said also has a questionable association with the “corrupt” uMkhonto weSizwe Party President Jacob Zuma.

“Frankly, these connections suggest the possibility of a deeper and more sinister relationship involving the Deputy President, warranting a thorough and transparent investigation to ensure accountability,” said Trollip.

He claimed that aspects of Liebenberg's case mirror a “troubling” pattern involving other high-ranking politicians and connected individuals, such as former Minister Zizi Kodwa, President Cyril Ramaphosa and Zuma. He further asserted that cases are undermined or entirely botched by the National Prosecuting Authority owing to entirely avoidable prosecutorial errors, questionable conduct, and baffling decisions to decline prosecutions.

Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance also announced its intention of requesting an investigation into possible contradictions in the official declarations of interests of Mashatile about the diamond received from Liebenberg.